Travel

Flight

Portland International Airport

This airport is approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes from Independence, Oregon (6 minutes from venue). However, traffic on the highway can be slowed down between 2-6pm in the Portland Area. Pros: -Most likely the cheapest option -More likely to have better selection of rental vehicles Cons: -Possible traffic

Flight

Eugene Airport

This airport is a small 8 gate airport that is easy to navigate, but tends to be more expensive. If staying in Corvallis this will be your best place to fly in. It also avoids the traffic around Portland. However, flights are limited to certain days (from certain locations like Phoenix), and tends to be more expensive. Pros: -My personal favorite airport to fly into -Small and easy to navigate -Not having to deal with Portland Traffic Cons: -Possibly less rental car options due to being a smaller city/airport. -More expensive and less flight options

Travel Note

Where Should I Stay? Our Recommendations and Thoughts

Unfortunately, the two best hotels were sold out a year before our wedding date so there is no hotel block. However, there is still an abundance of locations that can fit your needs. That being said, consider the following questions: 1. How long do I plan to stay? 2. What other activities may I want to do in Oregon? IE: Am I going to take my car to a hike, go wine tasting, go to the coast? Or do I want a lively downtown where I can walk? 3. How far do I want to drive to scheduled activities? 4. Do I have family that I can share a AirBnb with? 5. Do I plan to drink at the wedding and want to Uber/Lyft? Think about these questions and familiarize yourself with the area and the location of events. Use Google maps to determine the distance to the events. The events are listed on the schedule page. Use my Airbnb recommendations as recommendations, but also location markers to describe the area I am referring to. The Independence Hotel is right next to our venue (5 minutes away). Possibly consider staying elsewhere and "moving" to spend Sunday night here if you're planning on Ubering to the wedding.

Travel Note

If you don't like the countryside and need a location where you can walk to dinner/coffee

Corvallis, Oregon! Nathans "Hometown!!" While Nathan technically grew up in Albany, Oregon, he spent a lot of time in Corvallis given it was only an arms throw away. Corvallis is a college town, home of the Oregon State Beavers, but turns into a beautiful & quiet river front town in the summer. Corvallis has plenty of amazing restaurants including Taco Vino, Lucca Taverna, Castor, American Dream Pizza, and Del Alma. If you are planning on staying a few extra days to soak up the Willamette Valley and plan on driving to the wedding I would recommend this as a wonderful place to stay. The Courtyard Corvallis downtown would be our hotel recommendation if staying in Corvallis and is linked below. The Holiday Inn Express Corvallis on the River is another good option given it's proximity to downtown. Do not be afraid to look at Airbnb as there are some great apartment options in downtown Corvallis that are cheaper then a hotel stay. -38 minutes to Ankeny Vineyards (Friday) -19 minutes to Deluxe Brewing (Saturday) -34 minutes to Green Villa Barn (Sunday)

Travel Note

Airbnb in Independence

This is going to get you the CLOSEST to the wedding venue, but ensure you are not too far into the country to where you would be unable to lyft/Uber. Less activities to do due to this town being rural and small, however closest to all of our planned activities and close to many drivable activities like wine tasting, the Pacific coast, etc. -11 minutes to Ankeny Winery (Friday) -28 minutes to Deluxe Brewing (Saturday) -5 minutes to Green Villa Barn (Sunday) Recommendations: https://tinylink.net/ugtZN (Says 1 bedroom, but I think that's a typo and there's 3!) https://tinylink.net/JUG9W

Travel Note

Airbnb in West Salem

West Salem will not provide you a downtown feel, but you have a car! I really recommend looking at Airbnb's in the area as I think this is going to be the best bang for your buck (especially since you have a car). West Salem will allow you to be able to Lyft to the Wedding Venue. Will also allow you to drive to fun hikes like Silver Creek Falls, the Coast, and Wine Tastings! -26 minutes to Ankeny Vineyard (Friday) -36 minutes to Deluxe Brewing (Saturday) -11 minutes to Green Villa Barn (Sunday) Options/Area: https://tinylink.net/fhyCC (Big enough for multiple family's) https://tinylink.net/q9ikF (4 bed 4 bath) https://tinylink.net/9kQBr (1 bed 1 bath)

Travel Note

Other fun Airbnb's I found (The countryside)

While these are most likely not be Uber/Lyft accessible. They would give you the full Oregon effect and appear to be in the middle of all of our planned activities making the drive the closest & easy! :) Cob House (SO CUTE) https://tinylink.net/YF0IO Farm Bungalow With Easy Access to Albany, Corvallis, and Independence https://tinylink.net/M0S8C Country Home full of peacefulness all to yourself https://tinylink.net/z3IZM Willamette Valley Boutique Vineyard https://tinylink.net/TGvG8 Small Barn for 2 in Jefferson! Note: There are 3 small "homes" on this property! Perhaps rent them all out with your family and enjoy? Airbnb link to a single home: https://tinylink.net/M88GS Website link: https://gilmourevents.com/

Travel Note

Airbnb in Downtown Albany

While not as good as Corvallis, it is an option to stay with a small amount of walk-able restaurants and bars. There are no hotels, but there are some Airbnb's in the area. While Albany is safe, I would only stay downtown in order to enjoy coffee shops, restaurants, and breweries. I would stay here if you care more about proximity to other things and Corvallis is just a little too far for you. To find a place to stay downtown, create a square parameter by using the Willamette river and Pacific Blvd East to West and Washington and Montgomery St. North to South. Some options: https://tinylink.net/gWNEi https://tinylink.net/sznBd https://tinylink.net/SJbp6 Not downtown, but in north Albany (nice) and a big house/good rate for a family stay https://tinylink.net/Dcecv -24 minutes Ankeny Vineyards (Friday) -3 minutes to Deluxe Brewing (Saturday) -29 minutes to Green Villa Barn (Sunday)

Travel Note

Nathan's Final Thoughts

Really consider what you want to do in Oregon. If it was myself booking a Thursday-Monday or a Friday-Monday I would look to stay in Independence, West-Salem, or one of the "Fun Airbnb's" within the area. Reason being, we have a lot of scheduled events we would love to see you at. I would recommend filling the rest of your time with a nice hike, wine tasting, or a trip to the Pacific coastline! While I love Corvallis, and think they have some great restaurants, I don't foresee you spending a lot of time downtown and don't think the city is worth the extra drive time to scheduled events. However, if you despise smaller/rural cities, Corvallis is for you!